'The Decisive Moment' - Why no modern edition!?

holmburgers · Feb 11, 2010

So I find it hard to believe that you can't buy the Decisive Moment by Henri Cartier-Bresson new, or in a modern printing. There happens to be one on eBay right now (dangit now, don't go bidding it up!!) in a, thus far, reasonably price auction. But the next cheapest is $600! For all the attention this book receives, I can't believe no one is printing it today.

Does anybody know WHY this is? Is it just that niche of a market that publishers wouldn't make money on it. I'm surprised it can't be had, even in a "textbook" publisher kind of way, that is, at $100 or something.

It's frustrating because I just wanna read it, you know. I don't want it as a collector's piece, I just want the text. Sheeesh......

'would appreciate any responses

perkeleellinen · Feb 11, 2010

Did you see the signed version offered at $8,500?

jamesmck · Feb 11, 2010

The photos are available here: http://tinyurl.com/mjuxap. Unfortunately, the Introduction is not. But, I believe that the text of the Introduction is the same as that reprinted on pp. 20-43 of "The Mind's Eye" (Aperture) and on pp. 12-22 of "The Education of a Photographer" (Traub et al, editors). Someone please correct me if I am wrong about the essay.

James

Bosaiya · Feb 11, 2010

I got a copy through interlibrary loan. It was interesting reading.

jp80874 · Feb 11, 2010

It seems to have gone missing some years ago from the Akron Public Library and no doubt many others in the USA.

John Powers

holmburgers · Feb 12, 2010

Yeah, here at the University of Kansas, you can only read it IN the library. I'm wondering if I can copy/scan it inside the library. That might be pretty sketchy.... Well, at least I can actually READ it.

And yes, it's a shame that people steal it from libraries. It's incredibly tempting, but I always think, if no one ever stole things from the library, it would always be there, available for you to go back and see it. Sigh...

I did see the one for $8,500; might have to put that on my Christmas list.

thnx guys

Eric Rose · Feb 12, 2010

I think the new edition is being done by someone with an Iphone and it will be called the" Decisive Bite" .

Ian Grant · Feb 12, 2010

There was a copy for a year or so in the Booth's Castle Bookshop in Hay-on-Wye (UK), it was in a locked cabinet and even 10 years ago priced at £600 (then $1200).

It's a large book but worth seeing even if you can't afford it.

For those that don't know - Hay-on-Wye on the border of England & Wales was the first Book-town in the world, there are somewhere around 20-25 maybe more bookshops, many specialist, so a large one just for Poetry. Towns (people) from other countries (US, canada etc) have been there and are trying to establish similar. There was a specialist photo book shop for a while but Mrs Booth hesrself is interested in photography and the Castle Bookshop (inside the castle itself) often has some rare and desirable photographic books as well as plenty of others.

Ian

DLawson · Feb 12, 2010

holmburgers said:
Yeah, here at the University of Kansas, you can only read it IN the library. I'm wondering if I can copy/scan it inside the library. That might be pretty sketchy.... Well, at least I can actually READ it.

I'm a little out-of-date with University library practices, but you can probably copy it as long as it isn't in a "rare books" collection.

(Omitting copyright disclaimer, as it is too long and you probably know it already.)

Andy K · Feb 12, 2010

Also available on Amazon… if you want to pay stupid money…

http://www.amazon.com/decisive-moment-Henri-Cartier-Bresson/dp/B0006EUM12

Bosaiya · Feb 12, 2010

The library copies around here all sprouted legs and walked off as well. But there are still copies available through interlibrary loan. Just have them look on Worldcat for you.

holmburgers · Feb 15, 2010

Ok, I think inter library loan is the way to go. I'm looking into it.

If I do get a hold of it, I'm gonna take the time to digitally scan it in it's entirety. I'll let ya'll know.

benjiboy · Feb 26, 2010

I got mine from my local public library about ten years ago when they were having a sale of their unwanted books, there's an official stamp inside the front cover that says " Public Library Service Discarded", I paid £1 for it and at the time had no idea that it had any great value except i was interested in the contents.

'The Decisive Moment' - Why no modern edition!?

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